Sarah Dea

Manage a 300+ student organization across 5 project teams (Georgia Tech Experimental Rocketry, Guidance, Navigation & Control, High Power Rocketry, High Altitude Balloons, and Ramblin’ Competition Rocketry). Engage with university administration and industry to strengthen RRC’s reputation and provide members with opportunities

Conduct durability analyses on static and dynamic vehicle models with Creo, ANSA, Nastran, OptiStruct, HyperMesh, nCode, and Meta, leveraging high-performance computing clusters for the Cab Analysis Group. Perform correlation studies between shaker table test results, CAE simulations, and a novel virtual shaker setup to validate and refine predictive models. Execute topology and topography optimizations in HyperMesh and OptiStruct to improve structural stiffness and minimize vehicle weight.

Lead the external structures team (>40 members) in the creation of external structures of a solid two-stage rocket to reach space by managing budget, optimizing team efficiency, and ensuring completion of all sub-projects (fins, rail guides, external shrouds, etc) Collaborate with other subteams and members to ensure the completion of the full vehicle and satisfaction of system requirements Lead manufacturing, design, planning, and testing of miniature fincan to teach new members, test procedure, decide fin core material, and verify fin alignment. Coordinated the project with Hexagon AB to create a GD&T report for large-scale rockets. Lead planning, manufacturing, and layups of Live and Let Fly carbon fiber composite sandwich rocket fins at Delta TechOps Perform aerodynamic analysis of external radio frequency shrouds for optimization using ANSYS CFX Performed series of experimental trials and processes on manufacturing scale model G10 tapered fins for the sustainer to optimize manufacturing processes, optimize taper angle, minimize chatter, and ensure safety.

Research and analyze methods to test the core materials for this year’s rocket fins: plate-twist, isolated fin-twist, and attached fin-twist Design the plate-twist attachment to put on the Instron machine Calculate composite fins material’s in-plane shear modulus Ensures that the rocket fins are in good condition to launch and perform well

Working 10-12 hours a week to assist with research in flutter and limit-cycle analysis predictions Contribute finite element analysis and natural frequency models through the Patran and Nastran programs Consistently update tutorials, learning tools, and useful onboarding material for varying isotropic and composite Patran models

Working 40 hours a week for the Deep Space Network (DSN) and Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Assisted Goonhilly Earth Station to track low orbital satellites with the purpose of sharing limited spacecraft IDs by using MATLAB on the supercomputer (HPC) clusters to display and analyze interactions Manage and update data and information of past, present, and future missions that utilize the DSN Implemented machine learning tool to help DSN staff retrieve documentation within databases and libraries Complete 2 Interim Reports, Final Report, and Final Project Presentation that was presented to JPL staff and interns

Working 2-3 times a week for 4 hours per shift Make and serve drinks and food, take customer’s orders, communicate with team members and customers, train new members

Complete research on topics concerning the effects of climate change The analysis is then used to make articles or Instagram posts that are posted onto the account for followers to see